Q: Weights 1st then Cardio or vice versa?

[Argo]

Depends on how much cardio you plan on doing. If it's a 5-10 minute run to warm up then I'd do it before lifting. If it's more intense I'd do it afterwards. As for me, I try to do weights and cardio on different days (4 days lifting and 2 cardio, on the 7th day I rest )

 

[Rudee]

Do your weights first. Your strength training will use up muscle glycogen, thus when it comes time to do your cardio you will be tapping into you fat stores much quicker.

 

[Amused]

The majorirty here are correct.

5-10 minute warm up cardio, followed by your weight program, followed by 30-40 minutes of good old fashioned fat-burning cardio.

It normally takes your body between 20 and 30 minutes at it's target heart rate to start effectively burning fat. However, it starts doing so MUCH faster if you've been lifting weights. Only 15-20 minutes until your body really starts burning fat, or so I've been told by trainers.

Also, if you're interested in gaining lots of mass fast, cut back a bit on the frequency, impact level and duration of your cardio. Don't stop doing cardio altogether, just trim it back some. I noticed some significant strength and size gains when I cut my running mileage back from 5 miles, 4 days a week, to 3 miles 3 days a week plus a 30 minute elliptical workout. The trainer at my gym advises me to stop running altogether and do the elliptical exclusively to gain more mass, but I don't want to do that. I like running because I can do it anywhere, and therefore have no excuse when traveling.

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe
cardio will help lower your blood pressure and decrease your weight

So will weightlifting, though it is a more long-term solution... ;-)

Oh yeah, and definently, weights before cardio...

 

[slycat]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe
cardio will help lower your blood pressure and decrease your weight

weights have been proven to do the same

 

[StageLeft]

I noticed some significant strength and size gains when I cut my running mileage back from 5 miles, 4 days a week, to 3 miles 3 days a week plus a 30 minute elliptical workout. The trainer at my gym advises me to stop running altogether and do the elliptical exclusively to gain more mass, but I don't want to do that. I like running because I can do it anywhere, and therefore have no excuse when traveling.

Yep, doing too much cardio will hurt one's ability to gain muscle mass. Kinda sucks but if you're running 30 miles a week it will be hard to put on some muscle.

Ah, who am I kidding, I wouldn't run that much anyway

 

[slycat]

FreshP:
It varies with people and u should try both to see whats best for you.
Some peeps like to do cardio first so they are pre-fatigued and don't have to lift
as heavy when they hit the weights, and yet still maintain the same intensity.
Others like to hit wts first then cardio to wind down, stretch..smooth out.

 

[Fausto]

The short answer to the original question is to do whichever one you're more focused on first. That way, your muscles are fresh and you can really get in a quality workout. In my case, this means weights last since I'm a cyclist. If you want to gain muscle mass and just want general aerobic fitness/weight loss do the weights first and aerobic stuff last so you get in quality lifting.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I noticed some significant strength and size gains when I cut my running mileage back from 5 miles, 4 days a week, to 3 miles 3 days a week plus a 30 minute elliptical workout. The trainer at my gym advises me to stop running altogether and do the elliptical exclusively to gain more mass, but I don't want to do that. I like running because I can do it anywhere, and therefore have no excuse when traveling.

Yep, doing too much cardio will hurt one's ability to gain muscle mass. Kinda sucks but if you're running 30 miles a week it will be hard to put on some muscle.

Ah, who am I kidding, I wouldn't run that much anyway

You would if I were chasing your punk ass.

 

[isildur]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe
cardio will help lower your blood pressure and decrease your weight

um...so will proper wt training

indeed, the combo is more effective than either in isolation though

(wow, bunch of gym-rats on here, I had no idea)

 

[Silverbullet28]

Originally posted by: Rudee
Do your weights first. Your strength training will use up muscle glycogen, thus when it comes time to do your cardio you will be tapping into you fat stores much quicker.

 

[beer]

Cardio is for pussies. Powerlifting all the way

 

[Ranger X]

I used to do cardio then weights and I couldn't lift because I was so exhausted. I strongly suggest you lift first (after stretching) and then do cardio.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Cardio is for pussies. Powerlifting all the way

Uh, yeah. Come do an 80 mile bike ride with me and then tell me I'm a pussy.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Cardio is for pussies. Powerlifting all the way

Uh, yeah. Come do an 80 mile bike ride with me and then tell me I'm a pussy.

Come deadlift 450 and say you're not a pussy.


EDIT: for good measure

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Cardio is for pussies. Powerlifting all the way

Uh, yeah. Come do an 80 mile bike ride with me and then tell me I'm a pussy.

Come deadlift 450 and say you're not a pussy.


EDIT: for good measure

Hehe....COMMENCE POINTLESS CARDIO VS. LIFTING FLAMEWAR NOW!!

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Cardio is for pussies. Powerlifting all the way

Uh, yeah. Come do an 80 mile bike ride with me and then tell me I'm a pussy.

Come deadlift 450 and say you're not a pussy.


EDIT: for good measure

Hehe....COMMENCE POINTLESS CARDIO VS. LIFTING FLAMEWAR NOW!!

Just remember. You can run and bike a long way. We can hop into a car and eventually catch you. And we're bigger and stronger.

 

[katka]

Weights first. For me I found that I am stronger and my muscles are not fatigued because they have not been used. Also, my cardio is aerobics/yoga which means that the muscles will be properly stretched afterwards.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Elemental007

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Cardio is for pussies. Powerlifting all the way

Uh, yeah. Come do an 80 mile bike ride with me and then tell me I'm a pussy.

Come deadlift 450 and say you're not a pussy.


EDIT: for good measure

Hehe....COMMENCE POINTLESS CARDIO VS. LIFTING FLAMEWAR NOW!!

Just remember. You can run and bike a long way. We can hop into a car and eventually catch you. And we're bigger and stronger.

Oh yeah?!!? Well, we can....um.....er.....

crap.

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: Elemental007
Cardio is for pussies. Powerlifting all the way

can't we all just get along? (p.s., click my sig)